Pressure-reducing valve.



B. S. AIKMAN.

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE APPucATfoN' FILED mi. 20; 1916.

1,258,855 1 Patented MM. 12, 1918.

2 susns-snsn I.

B. S. AIKMAN.

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.20, Isle ED STATES P N OFFICE? i BURTON s. AIRMAN, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ssrenonro. NATIONAL BRAKE & ELECTRIC com any, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A conronnrron or WISCONSIN.

PRESSURE-REDUCING- vaEvE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pa ,tnted Mar; '12, 1918.

' Application filed January 20, 1916. Serial No. 73,100.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURTON S. AIKMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain I new and useful Improvement 1n Pressure- Reducing Valves, (Case 17,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to pressure reducing valves and. particularly to such valves as employed in isolated pumping systems for furautomatically recharged several times a day nishing water to a residence or an industrial acts of opening and closing the faucets which form the supply outlets of the system.

To-supplywater fresh from the well and to maintain the flow of water under faucet control, is a matter of prior art. In such a system an air displacement pump is employed, the pump being under a continuous alrv pressure, and the opening of one or more faucets of the system causing the air to displace the water to discharge the latter. The

air is stored. in a reservoir which is recharged, for example, from day to day when an engine is used for motive power, or

when an electric motor is used. In order to use the an most economically, it has been the practice to insert a pressure reducing,

valve in the pipe line between the air reservolr and the pump, the reservoir pressure being thus reduced so that the pressure maintained upon the pump is just sufficient to lift the water to the polnt of use, to overcome the friction of the water flowing through the pipes and fittings and to provide for sulficient faucet pressure.

' The amount of pressure necessary-to overcome the friction of the water flowingthrough the system varies in proportion to the quantity flowing, while the pressure necessary to secure the elevation of the wa-.

ter to the point of'use does not vary for any given installation. To the latter pressure maybe added that pressure required to maintain suflicient faucet pressure.

I In the prior art, in order to allow for the pressures above-described, it has been neces-, sary to set the reducer to provide suflicient pressure upon the pump to overcome the friction of the water when the pump is delivering its full ca acity, in addition to the a pressure for the li ting of the water to the point of use and for the desired faucet pressure. After. the reducer was once set, it was fixed at that pressure and delivered air at that pressure to the pump, displacing the water in the cylinder of the pump, re-

gardless of the rate of flow, so that when only a small flow was taking place, the

, air consumed was more than needed because the reducer was set for the maximum flow or capacity of the pump, causing great loss since the service re uircd from the faucet 'varies from a very small flow to the full becomes necessary with these prior art devices to maintain sufiicient pressure upon the pump to overcome the frlctlon encountered in the ,maximum flow, regardless of how. small the flow may be, and in fact not-with standing that mostv of the time there is ;no

This last mentioned point important when. it is'considered that w'he all the ing drawn, the high pressure is constantly maintained on all joints, tending to cause them to leak and wear undul y w A further consideration is that when but a one faucet of the system was opened, it was subjected to a much higher pressure than desired, because the reducer was necessamly set at a pressure to maintain the flow at all the faucets, up to the capacity of the pump, thus giving too great a pressure when but 90 faucets are closed, and no water-bee,"

one faucet was in use and an insufficient pressure when all were in use.

I have inventeda pressure reducing valve which, when once set to give sutfic1ent pres-' sure at the faucets when the pump is de-' liverin its full rated capacity, wlll automatica y adjust'the pressure upon the pump to ecrease it in proportion to the reduction in friction encountered n the system,

depending upon the. quantity of the flow. In this way, there is built up upon the constant pressure required to lift the water to the point of use, additional varying pressure corresponding to the requirement to overcome the friction encountered in the system depending. upon the quantity of the flow and to correspond to the requirement depending upon the number of faucets in use and the consequent spending of the socalled faucet pressure.

In the formof my invention, which I have iven practical test, and which is specifical y illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I provide means for maintaining a definite relation between the resisting influence upon the valve and the pressure of the water in the discharge portion of the system, whereby this resisting influence may be subtracted from as the conditions of the system require in order to economize the air. I have drawn the more specific of the appended claims in a more or less-limited way upon the precise structure illustrated, but I have drawn the broader of the appended claims in such a way as to cover any structure which secures the same results by thesame mode of operation. I have also drawn claims which bring in the relation of the pressure reducing valve of my invention to the system since there, beyond the valve itself, lies a novel thought. In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic view illustrating the system as a whole;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the valve of my invention; and

Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view taken on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the well curbing .is illustrated at 8, thewater level being indicated at 9. The pum structure, which I have indicated broa ly by the reference character 10, is disposed in the Well at a suitable distance below the water level therein. My present invention is not concerned with the specific structure of the pump 10 and it will suffice for the purposes of this case to point out merely that the pump is a displacement pump which, when pressure is maintained thereupon, automatically operates to admit water from the well and to discharge the water into the discharge portion of the system, as for instance, the pump illustrated in my copending application, Serial NO.'51,524, filed September 20,1915.

The pump structure has leading therefrom three pipes, an air pressure pipe 11, an exhaust pipe 12, and a water discharge pipe 13. The air pressure pipe 11 is connected with a compressed air tank 14, in

which air is compressed by means of a compressor 15, operated, for instance, by an electric motor 16. In the pipe 11, the cutoff valve 11 air strainer 11 reducing valve 11 age 11 and drain cock 11*, are provide the reducing valve 11 being the structure with which my present invention is articularly concerned.

he water discharge pipe 13 leads to various branch pipes 17 and 18, each of twhich in turn leads to an outlet faucet 19.

The water discharge pipe 13 is also connected with a chamber 21, closed except for the entry pipe-20, and the pipe 22 which leads to the pressure reducing valve, as will be pointed out presently. This chamber 21 acts merely as an air cushion so that during the filling operation of the pump, which takes place very quickly, the pressure stored in the chamber 21, may act to maintain normal pressure uponthe discharge system so as to prevent fluctuations in the flow. The chamber 21 is merely a means to increase the capacity of the discharge portion of the system and is fundamentally a part thereof.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that I provide a valve casing 23 of general cylindrical shape with side inlet and outlet, the valve mechanism being set in said casing on its vertical axis. Centrally disposed in this casing is the valve chamber 24 to which is directly connected the air inlet 25, which, in turn, is connected with the air reservoir through the strainer and cut-ofi' valve, as described. The air outlet, the side Which goes to the water pump is indicated at 26, and it will be seen that it is directly connected with an axial bore 27 which is separated from the axial valve chamber 24: by means of a partition 28, in which an axial opening 29 is provided.

A valve member 30 is disposed for vertical movement inthe valve chamber 24 and its face is provided with a piece of compressible material 31 which is adapted to cooperate with the valve seat 32 surrounding the opening 29. The top of the valve chamber 24 is closed by a plug 33 between which and the valve 30 a spring 34 is disposed. Screwed into the valve member 30 is a stem 35 which extends downwardly through the opening 29 for a purpose which will be described presently.

The underside of the casing 23 forms the upper portion of a diaphragm chamber 35' defined by a flexible diaphragm 36 clamped to the flange 27 of the casing 23 by means of the lower cover plate 37 and the screws a coiled spring 44 is disposed collar 43 loosely surrounds the 0St.:39. and etweenf the plate 40 and the collar 43.

Between the diaphragm 36- and the lower cover plate 37, a diaphragm plate 45 is disposed; This plate, by means of pins 46, 46, extending through the lower cover? plate 37, is mechanically connected with the collar 43, so that the influence of the spring 44 upon the collar 43 may be transmitted to the.-

diaphragm phragm 36.

A stem'47 is mounted snugly for reciprocating movement in the axial bore 27, this stem being so arranged that at its top' it plate 45 and in turn tothe diamay engage with the stem 35, which has hereinbefore been referred to, and being provided at its bbttom with a diaphra plate 48 between which, and a cup mem r 49, a second diaphragm 50 is clamped by means of a screw '51. This second diaphragm 50 is clamped to the under inner face of the casing 23, by'means ofscrews' 52, 52

and a clamping ring 53, and covers a diaphragm chamber 54, which, by means of a passageway 55, is connected with the'air outlet as shown.

The diaphragm chamber 35' is provided I with a port 56 in which the end of the pipe 22, referred to in connectionvwith the description of Fig. 1, is connected, it being thus apparent that water at the pressure of the water in the discharge part of the system, fills the diaphragm chamber 35 and exerts its pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm 36. g

It will now be seen that the spring 34 tends to move down thevalve member 30 so as to close the passageway 29 between the inlet and outlet 0 enings of the structure, and that the spring 44 tends 'toraisd the valve from its seat. Thus the spring- 44 Opposes the tendency of the valve'30 to.

close, and this opposition goes to the extent determined by the adjustment'of the platel 40 as to height.

Let it be assumed then that the valve"- structure is so adjusted in this primary way as to provide suflicient fauc'et pressure with the pump delivering at full capacity. The

air from thereservoir, as restricted bythe' position of the valve 30, is therefore eifec-' tive upon the posterior or exit side of the opening 29. This air, coming down by way of the passageway 55, exerts its-influence in the diaphragm chamber] 54 and upon the diaphragm 50. If the pressurefalls slightly,

posterior to the opening 29, the 'diaphragmf 50 will rise a little so as'to open the valve member 30 farther, thus bringing the pres-"' sure posterior to the opening 29, back to normal." On the other .hand, if the pressure. posterior to the opening 29 should rise, the

tendency for the diaphragm 50 will be to I now be evident,the valve member 30 will drop maximum flow ofthe pump, and the pumpfallow the valve member 30 to close slightly. 65 -.-'In this, way, other things being equal, the

pressure is maintained substantially constant.v

The connection ofthe pipe 22 to the discharge'portion of the system, however, makes the discharge pressure efiective in the diaphra'gm chamber 35' and upon the dia phragm 36, which is larger than the diahragm .50. Thus, the greater the-pressure n the diaphragm chamber 35, the greater will be the subtraction from the efi'ort of the spring 44, and in this way uniform faucet pressure is maintained. If a greater flow takes place, the discharge pressure drops and consequently the opposition to the action of the spring 44 is reduced. On the other hand, with avery small flow-taking place, a very large proportion of the influence of the spring. 44 is counteracted by the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 35. When the discharge flow is reduced, the friction incident -to forcing the water through the system will be correspondingly reduced with a corresponding reduction in the amount of work to be done. Under these conditions, as will to cut down the pressure posterior tothe opening 29. When the diaphragm 36 moves downwardly, the action allows the air pressure'above the diaphragm 50'to cause that diaphragm to move down correspondingly, and the regulating action, which has-here,

inbeforebeen described, is maintained whatever be the position of the diaphragm 36.

When the valve is set .to provide for the is operating at less thanits maximum rate,

'- the-valve holds the pressure on the pump at less than its maximum,--holding it at a position just suflicient to deliver the waterat the rateof flow required, and at. the fial cet'pres-v sure required. 1f the requirement is in-' creased by more faucets being ppened there i 9 pressure tomaintain a uniform ressure at would be an immediate increaisejg'in t e air the faucets. v I v a When the "rate 6r delivery of water-"from the pump is high, andthe friction 'lossesin the pump and piping are great, the air pressure will be automatically raised accordingly to meet the demand. Correspondingly', when the rate of flow from the pum' is low and the losses from the'friction' of" (aw-are small, the air pressure {will .bea amaieauy; lowered to maintain only the- :ne'ce's- V sary-to provide for'thecondltions thusas sumed. -'I claim: 1. In combination acasin g.- an;in-' let and an outletand an openlng connecting said inlet-and said outlet, a valve controlling said opening, means subjectto thepressure on the outlet side ofsaid opening for open- 3. In combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet and an opening connecting said inlet and said outlet, a valve controlling said opening, means subject to the pressure on the outlet side of said openingfor opening and closing said valve, adjustable means tending to open said valve, and pressure controlled means for counteracting the efl'ect of said opening means.

4:. In combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet and an opening connecting said inlet and said outlet, a valve controlling said opening, means subject to the pressure on the outlet side of said opening for opening and closing said valve, means supplementing the opening influence of said valve, and means for counteracting the eflect of said supplementary means.

5. In combination, a casing having an inlet and an,outlet and an opening connecting said inlet and said outlet, a valve cont-rolling said opening, means subject to the pressure on the outlet side of said opening for opening and closing said valve, adjustable means supplementing the opening influence of said valve, and means for counteracting the effect of said supplementary means.

6. In combination, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and an opening connecting said inlet and said outlet, avalvecontrolling said opening, a spring tending to close said valve, a diaphragm connected with said valve, a diaphragm chamber for said diaphragm, said diaphragm chamber being connected with said outlet, a second diaphragm, a second diaphragm chamber being formed between said diaphragm and a spring tending to move said diaphragm to open said valve, increase of pressure in said second diaphragm chamber acting in opposition to said spring. v

7. In combination, a pump-operating by the application of air under pressure, an air reservoir for air under pressure, a discharge system for said pump, an air line between said reservoir and said pump, a valve in said air line, means controlled by pressure of the air between the valve and the pump tending to close said valve, and means subject to the pressure in said discharge system acting in opposition to said closing means.

8. In combination, a pump operating by reservoir for air under pressure, a discharge system for said pump, an air line between said reservoir and said pump, a valve in said air line, means subject to the pressure applied at the pump for opening and closing said valve, supplemental means tending to close said valve, and means subject to the pressure in said discharge system acting in opposition to said closing means.

9.- In a valve an inlet and an outlet having a passage between them, a valve controlling the passage, a pair of diaphragms of different efl'ective areas controlling said valve, a chamber for each diaphragm, means for admitting motive fluid at the pressure prevailing on the outlet side of the valve passage to p the diaphragm of less effective .area, and

means for admitting liquid under pressure to the diaphragm of greater efiective area,

10. In a valve an inlet and an'outlet having a passage between them, a valve controlling the passage, a pair of diaphragms of difl'erent effective area controlling said valve, a chamber for each diaphragm, means for admitting motive fluid at the pressure prevailing on the outlet side 'of the Valve passage to the diaphragm of less eflective area, means for admitting liquid under pres sure to the diaphragm of greater effective area, and spring means for connecting said diaphragm.

11. In combination, a valve controlling motive fluid, a diaphragm of less effective area, a diaphragm of greater effective area, a connection between said diaphragms, a

.fluid pressure chamber formed between said diaphragm, a fluid pressure chamber exerting a control on one of the diaphragms and a'spring exerting a control on the other of said diaphragms, said diaphragms controlling said valve.

12. In combination, a valve, a diaphragm having motive fluid pressure upon one side and liquid under pressure on the other side controlling the opening and closing of the valve, and a second diaphragm having liquid pressure on one side and a spring pressing on the other side, said second diaphragm also controlling said valve:

13. Incombination, a valve having an inlet for. motive fluid, an outlet for motive fluid, a movable valve member between said inlet and outlet, means controlled jointly by the pressure of the motive fluid on the outlet side of the valve and by the pressure of the liquid for governing said valve.

14. In combination, a valve having an inlet for motive fluid, an outlet for motive fluid, a movable valve member between said inlet and outlet, means controlled jointly by the pressure of the motive fluid on the outlet side of the valve and by pressure of the liquid for governing said valve, and

means controlled jointly by the pressureof the liquid and by an=adjustable spring for governing said valve.

15. In combination, a pump having an inlet for motive fluid, a discharge for the liquid pumped, a valve controlling the ad.-

mission of motive fluid to the inlet of the pump, means controlled by the fluid pressure admitted to the pump and by the pressure of the discharged liquid for controlling 10 I the valve and further means controlled by the pressure of the discharged liquid and by a spring for governing the valve.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of January A. D. 15 1916. t

BURTON S. AIKMLAN. 

